Residents of Thorverton, Brampford Speke and Upton Pyne took part in a community walk to officially open the new Hulk Lane bridleway near Thorverton.

Fifty keen walkers, many with dogs, as well as a rider on horseback joined Devon County Councillor Margaret Squares and Thorverton & Brampford Speke Community Access Project (TABSCAP), to celebrate the reinstatement of Hulk Lane as a new public access route in the Exe Valley on Saturday, November 25. The walk was a chance to thank all those who have helped to fund and make this initiative a reality.

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The way through Hulk Lane was officially ‘lost’ when a large section of the highway slipped down the hillside in the severe wet weather conditions of 2013. The slippage was due to the geological soil type known as the Yellowford Formation, specific to a narrow block of land near Thorverton. Formed from alluvial deposits from an ancient river terrace, the porous 3m of soil lies above an impervious clay bed, making it susceptible to land slippage.

Unfortunately the cost of reinstatement of the slipped section as a highway was financially impossible. But a local initiative lead by TABSCAP to raise the funds necessary to re-open Hulk Lane as a part bridleway has resulted in one of the most beautiful and safe routes for the villagers of Thorverton and Brampford Speke, connecting to a network of footpaths in the Exe Valley.

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Images of the devastated section of Hulk Lane were used as an example of the financial challenges DCC Highways faced in re-opening damaged roads. Councillor Squires and members of TABSCAP were determined to see the slipped section reinstated as a bridleway once engineering works to install a drainage system on the hillside to take away excess spring water and rainfall, were completed. A traditional hedge has been planted below the sunflowers, linseed, triticale and radish blossoming on the hillside, providing food for birds and small mammals through the winter months.

“This is a great community asset for generations of families, dog walkers, cyclists and horse riders to enjoy for many years to come,” Councillor Squires said as she cut the ribbon at the official opening.

“Four years ago, the situation was dire for Hulk Lane. It was like a mini earthquake zone and quite dangerous, with crevasses and buckled sections of the former road. The reopening as a bridleway shows what can be done when a group of enthusiastic people come together to improve public access for local people with the support of Devon County Council, parish councils and private funding.”

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Hulk Lane bridleway is the result of partnership funding through the DCC Community Enhancement Fund, with financial support from DCC Locality Fund through Councillor Margaret Squires, Thorverton Parish Council, Brampford Speke Parish Council, The Leonard Trust and private donations from Louise & Will Honan and Edwin, Jilly and George Greed.